Undefeated NC State Advances to Super Regional with Oustanding Victory Over James Madison in Raleigh Regional….

June 3, 2024 Sports_xtreme Wolfpack 0

NC State Advances to Super Regional with 5-3 Victory over James Madison

The Wolfpack secured a spot in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament with a 5-3 win against James Madison. Going undefeated in the Raleigh Regional, NC State has now reached the Super Regional for the sixth time under Elliott Avent and the second time in four years.

The decisive game, held at Doak Field at Dail Park, leaves NC State just two wins away from advancing to Omaha. They await the winner of the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech Athens Regional final. If Georgia prevails, the Wolfpack will travel to Athens; if Georgia Tech wins, NC State will host the Super Regional in Raleigh.

James Madison’s Mike Mancini showcased his offensive prowess again, following his two-homer performance in an earlier game against South Carolina with two more solo home runs and an RBI double in the eighth inning. However, NC State consistently countered Mancini’s efforts, maintaining their lead throughout the game.

NC State’s offense got going in the fourth inning with a two-run frame. Matt Heavner was hit by a pitch and Noah Soles drew a walk, setting the stage for Eli Serrano’s sacrifice bunt. After a pop-out, Alec Makarewicz was intentionally walked, which backfired for JMU as Jacob Cozart and Brandon Butterworth each walked, driving in two runs.

Mancini cut the lead to 2-1 with his first solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, but Makarewicz restored the two-run lead with a solo homer in the sixth. Mancini hit another solo homer in the bottom of the sixth to keep JMU close.

In the eighth, the Wolfpack added another run when Garrett Pennington singled and scored on Makarewicz’s double. Mancini answered again with an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth, narrowing the lead to 4-3. Noah Soles added an insurance run with a solo homer in the ninth.

Derrick Smith secured the win with a perfect ninth inning. Makarewicz (2-for-4, double, home run, 2 RBIs), Soles (1-for-2, home run, 2 runs, RBI), Cozart (2-for-3, RBI), and Heavner (2-for-4, run) all had strong performances. Butterworth and Alex Sosa also contributed by reaching base multiple times.

Logan Whitaker pitched six innings for the Wolfpack, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out six. Jacob Dudan followed with two innings, giving up one run and striking out four, and Smith closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning, earning his seventh save of the season.

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